Two recent Hatch Act violations serve as a reminder to federal employees about risks to their jobs during an election season. Some federal employees are even subject to violations outside of the office.

The Republican Party platform that was adopted Tuesday at the Republican National Convention in Tampa would cut the size of the federal workforce and adjust federal pay and benefits to “reflect those of the private sector.”

In a landmark case (Berry v. Conyers), the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals tells Agencies that if an employee no longer is able to hold a “sensitive” position, the removal is not subject to “Adverse Action” rules or appealable to MSPB. While the principle is not new, the Court decision begs the question of why Agencies don’t use this flexibility more often.

Will the Bush era tax cuts be extended by Congress? Nobody knows, but regardless of what Congress does, the authors offer steps one can consider taking before year end to improve your personal finances.

The former President of the National Border Patrol Council, a major component of the American federation of Government Employees, was indicted August 16 on 13 criminal charges. These charges related to actions allegedly taken by him while serving as President.